Damascus, Syria – The Damascus Criminal Court issued a landmark death sentence on Tuesday against Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after convicting him of committing horrific crimes and grave violations against the Syrian people during the rule of the former regime. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan explained during the sentencing hearing that extensive investigations and conclusive evidence proved the defendant’s involvement in forming and managing irregular armed groups under the direct orders of Brigadier General Ghiath Dalla. These militias targeted safe civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta and committed bloody massacres against civilians, particularly in the town of al-Maliha.
Murder, torture, and the arrest of armed gangs
Judge Al-Aryan added that the court relied on compelling evidence proving the involvement of the Assad-affiliated armed group in the attack on a shop in the town of Jaramana, the theft of its contents, and the kidnapping of its owner due to his opposition to the former regime. The group was also implicated in a long series of kidnappings and premeditated murders targeting numerous Syrian citizens in various regions. Based on this evidence, Wassim al-Assad was convicted of the premeditated murder of more than one person, as well as of torture, crimes legally classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes. The court sentenced him to death and ordered the confiscation of all his movable and immovable assets for the benefit of the state treasury.
Background of the trial and international charges
The Damascus Public Prosecutor’s Office had demanded the death penalty for Assad during the third session of his trial.
The National Commission for Transitional Justice announced that the prosecution’s request was based on testimonies and evidence proving his involvement in premeditated murder, drug trafficking, and attacks on civil peace. Wassim al-Assad (46 years old), who appeared in court for the first time on June 24, is known as one of the most prominent figures involved in trafficking and smuggling Captagon to neighboring countries. He is on US and European sanctions lists. He was arrested by Syrian authorities on June 21, 2025, as part of campaigns to pursue those involved in crimes committed under the former regime.
